Calculated Freight Summary
This summary appears above the form after calculation.
| Cost Component | Amount (USD) |
|---|
Freight Input Form
The page uses a single-column content flow. The calculator form itself becomes three columns on large screens, two on medium screens, and one on mobile.
Example Data Table
| Scenario | Mode | Weight (KG) | Volume (CBM) | Base Rate (USD) | Origin | Destination | Transit Days |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Garments Export | LCL | 4,800 | 12.5 | 95 / CBM | Shanghai | Karachi | 28 |
| Machinery Parts | FCL 20GP | 14,200 | 26.0 | 1,750 / Container | Ningbo | Jebel Ali | 18 |
| Retail Stock Refill | FCL 40HC | 19,500 | 58.0 | 2,650 / Container | Shenzhen | Karachi | 16 |
Formula Used
1) Chargeable Freight Basis
For LCL, freight often uses chargeable volume. Many quotes apply the greater of actual CBM and weight converted using 1 CBM = 1,000 KG.
LCL Chargeable CBM = max(Volume CBM, Weight KG ÷ 1000)
2) Base Ocean Cost
LCL multiplies chargeable CBM by the quote. FCL normally uses one flat container rate.
Base Cost = max(Minimum Charge, Chargeable CBM × Rate) for LCL, or Container Rate for FCL
3) Surcharges
Variable surcharges are percentage-based and apply to the base ocean cost. Fixed surcharges are added directly.
Total Surcharges = BAF + CAF + Peak + THC + Docs + Security + Fuel + Customs + Inland + Storage + Misc
4) Insurance, Duty, and Tax
Insurance is calculated on cargo value. Duty and tax are shown on the landed customs basis.
Landed Cost = Cargo Value + Freight Total + Insurance + Duty + Tax
How to Use This Calculator
- Choose LCL or FCL and then select the relevant container type.
- Enter weight, volume, ports, transit days, and the quoted ocean rate.
- Add surcharges such as BAF, CAF, THC, documentation, customs, inland moves, and storage.
- Enter cargo value, insurance rate, duty rate, tax rate, and exchange rate.
- Click Calculate Freight Cost to show the result above the form.
- Review the chart and detailed breakdown. Export CSV or PDF when needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the difference between LCL and FCL?
LCL means your cargo shares container space with other shipments. FCL means you book an entire container. LCL is often better for smaller volumes, while FCL becomes cost-effective when cargo volume grows and handling risks need to stay lower.
2. Why does the calculator compare weight and volume for LCL?
LCL pricing commonly uses chargeable volume. Heavy cargo with low volume can still affect handling economics. This calculator uses the greater of actual CBM and weight converted to freight tons, helping estimate quotes more realistically.
3. Are BAF and CAF always percentage-based?
Not always. Some carriers quote them as percentages, while others use flat amounts. This version uses percentage inputs for quick planning. If your quote provides fixed amounts, place those under other charges or adjust the percentages accordingly.
4. Does this calculator replace a formal freight quote?
No. It is a planning tool for budgeting and scenario comparison. Actual invoices may include carrier-specific surcharges, free-time rules, route changes, customs treatment, and seasonal market shifts that are not fully predictable here.
5. Should I include duty and tax in the result?
Include them when you want a landed-cost view. Exclude them when you only need transport and port-related charges. The choice depends on whether you are budgeting pure logistics spend or full import cost.
6. What does THC mean?
THC stands for Terminal Handling Charges. These are port-side fees related to container or cargo handling at origin and destination. They are commonly billed separately from the basic ocean freight rate.
7. Why is my cost per kilogram high on low-volume shipments?
Small shipments absorb fixed charges poorly. Documentation, customs, security, and terminal fees do not shrink much with cargo size. That makes low-volume consignments look expensive on a per-kilogram basis.
8. Can I use this for rate negotiation?
Yes. It helps compare suppliers, routing options, and surcharge structures. You can test whether a lower base rate is offset by higher extras, giving you a clearer negotiation position.